Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings have five first round draft picks assigned to the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins. Griffins head coach Ben Simon has been charged with developing the talented group. Grand Rapids will be a fun yet dangerous team to watch this season.
Michael Rasmussen, Evgeny Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Moritz Seider and Joe Veleno, widely viewed as five players who will help the Detroit Red Wings get back to the NHL Playoffs.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman resisted temptation to bring one, two or all five prized players to Detroit. Yzerman, instead opted for ice time which is critical to a prospects development. The general manager was wise to not let his emotions dictate decisions.
Each player has been asked to work on certain aspects of their game. For Filip Zadina, who looked tentative making plays and hesitant to go to his shot this training camp and preseason, the ultra talented Zadina needs to trust his shot more. That comes with ice time.
Joe Veleno, is looking to become a player that coaches trust, at all times. 5-on-5, power play, in the final moments of games. Yzerman believes he can become that and has challenged Veleno to take that step. It is a fast way to the NHL.
Moritz Seider, 18, was Steve Yzerman’s first draft pick. He was one of the last prospects to be assigned to the Griffins. Seider, had a very good prospect tournament and it carried over to training camp and preseason games. He will fine tune his game and is not long for the minors.
Michael Rasmussen, who played in Detroit much of last season is being asked to learn to better use his 6′ 6″ frame. To box players out as well as put himself in better position to take shots on goal.
Evgeny Svechnikov, who looked very good leading up to the season was assigned to Grand Rapids in order to make sure he does not suffer a set back from the torn knee ligament he suffered last season. Svechnikov should be one of the first call-ups for the Detroit Red Wings.
Last season Griffins head coach Ben Simon helped Dennis Cholowski overcome holes in his game. Cholowski is on the Red Wings opening night roster. That is good news. Simon is now in charge of getting five dynamic prospects NHL ready.
